Fish Selection Advice and Feedback Requested....

[Danny McElroy]

Experienced reefers, please provide your honest advice and feedback on the following fish selection and stocking strategy:

I Just finished cycling my new dream reef aquarium with 200 gallon display tank that is 72"W x 24"D x 29"H and I am planning to stock in two batches:

 

[MnFish1]

You may be going a little heavy on the tangs (IMHO you are). I'm not sure 2 pairs of clowns is a 'good' idea - for a tank that sized - though they might hang out on either side. The Royal gramma can be very aggressive in addition. Part depends on what else you're putting in the tank, i.e. coral? etc.

Overall it seems way overstocked - depending on your Aquascape - and with many aggressive fish. It sounds nice though.

 

[Danny McElroy]

You may be going a little heavy on the tangs (IMHO you are). I'm not sure 2 pairs of clowns is a 'good' idea - for a tank that sized - though they might hang out on either side. The Royal gramma can be very aggressive in addition. Part depends on what else you're putting in the tank, i.e. coral? etc.

Overall it seems way overstocked - depending on your Aquascape - and with many aggressive fish. It sounds nice though.

My apology it was not clear, only 1 pair Qty 2 total fish. What would be your recommended amount of tangs and fish for this size system? In about 6 months it will be loaded down with corals, 50/50 LPS and SPS

 

[MnFish1]

My apology it was not clear, only 1 pair Qty 2 total fish. What would be your recommended amount of tangs and fish for this size system? In about 6 months it will be loaded down with corals, 50/50 LPS and SPS

OHHHHHHHHHH I thought you were adding all of those fish lol. in a group. I think thats up to your personal preference.

 

[MnFish1]

Wait I misunderstood your reply - so you mean one pair of clowns plus all of the others. Its so hard to say do this or do that. I think you have too many tangs - and overall aggressive fish. The anthias alone can get to be 5 inches - but prob not. I would cut your total number down by half - if you're planning to have it 'full of corals' in 6 months.

 

[TurbulentWiggles]

Doesn’t seem like too many fish to me. I only have 4 in my 210 right now and it seems empty. Only thing I would say is you have a lot of swimmers, get more bottom dwellers. Gobies poking their little heads out of the rocks

 

[czoolander]

I see no real issues with the list except Anthias are super tough to keep alive in a home aquarium. I would love to get some anthias again one day but my first attempt was a complete failure they all died within a few months

From what I have read from others Anthias are for experienced reefers only they are super high maintenance fish LOL

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

I would stick to one pr of clowns.
I would stock the anthias with the first group as they can be shy feeders.

I would stock less tangs. Personally I would pass on the sailfin and powder blue.

Also you forgot the fairy wrasses.

 

[blaxsun]

Flame hawkfish, a coral beauty or flame dwarf angelfish, a nice dottyback, a few wrasses...

 

[mdb_talon]

After you clarified one pair of clowns only i think the list looks fine. However I am not a dues paying member of the tang police so they may still come for you.

I did have a midas blenny once that always was super aggressive towards my firefish. Researched a bit and found that is not that unusual it seems some dont like firefish.

Only other thing i would say is it seems you are heavy on fish that spend a lot of time in the middle of the water column and only a couple that spend most their time on the bottom. If it were me i would want more bottom dwellers.

 

[Tamberav]

Firefish seems out of place. May get picked on by the choices of your fish list.

 

[Zionas]

Firefish are too timid for many people’s tanks. You don’t want outright bullies but I also wouldn’t choose fish that can barely stand up for themselves, if at all.

There’s a bit too many Tangs. Even in a 200 I’d still stick to the ones that don’t get too big. For me I’d do a max of maybe 3. The Yellow, White Tail, and choose one between the Hippo and the Powder Blue. Sailfins get big and very tall.

Are there any other larger fish you could see yourself getting?